When Los Angeles' newly elected sheriff dies, Bill Hollister is suddenly propelled into the role and must lead one of the largest police forces in the world.

Struggling to come to terms with the new responsibilities of his role as Sherriff, Bill refuses to stay out of the field when a criminal to whom he is personally connected resurfaces. Meanwhile, two new deputies come into the picture, Gabriel Luna, a training officer overseeing Harris' class of new deputies, and Charlie Minnick. Also, Undersheriff Jerry London and Bill continue to wrestle for control of the department.

After a mysterious shooting leaves one of their own injured, Bill and the team go out on a mission to find the shooter. Charlie attempts to get answers about what happened during the shooting, leading Joseph to a revelation. Meanwhile, when Undersheriff London tries to take control of the department, Bill reminds him who is in charge.

While enforcing an unsanctioned raid on a human trafficking ring in Los Angeles, Bill finds an old informant of his who is in trouble. After returning from her leave and eager to get back into the field, Charlie is assigned to patrol with Joseph, the one person she would like to avoid. Meanwhile, as Bill continues to disagree with the board on how to best run the department, Jerry does Bill a favor in order to get on his good side.

When Joseph's childhood friend is wrongfully accused by the LAPD, he involves Bill in his mission to find the truth. Paula is put in a tough position when her hospital puts her in charge of making staff cuts in order to meet its budget requirements. Meanwhile, Cade is having second thoughts about the children he is fostering.